Statement by H.E. Ambassador Mr. Wang Min at the 65th Session of UN General Assembly on the Agenda Item "Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency"

2010/11/08

(photo by Shen Hong,Xin Hua News Agency)

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation would like to thank the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr. Yukiya Amano, for his report on the work of the IAEA over the past year.

We notice with appreciation that much work has been done by the IAEA in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. By carrying out its technical cooperation program, the IAEA has actively assisted the member states in developing nuclear energy and using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The IAEA continues to improve the guideline documents in the field of nuclear security and safety and assist the member states in strengthening relevant capabilities. The IAEA has also made efforts in promoting the universality of safeguards agreements and the additional protocol and earnestly performed its safeguards function. We are glad to see the role of the IAEA has been widely recognized and supported by the member states.

Mr. President,

Over the past year, with the fast development of China’s nuclear energy, cooperation between the IAEA and China has been further enhanced. In the field of technical cooperation, the Nuclear Energy Special Program (CRP 4032) has been carried out steadily. In June 2010, China signed the 2010-2015 China Technical Cooperation Country Programme Framework with the IAEA, which lays out a solid blueprint for future cooperation. In the field of nuclear safety, by drawing upon the standards and norms developed by the IAEA, China has put in place relevant legislation and regulatory system which is in line with the international practice. And this year, upon the invitation of China, the IAEA for the first time sent and Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission to China to review its nuclear safety regulatory framework. In the field of nuclear security, China supports the IAEA’s essential role, and has actively participated in the development of relevant guideline documents which has been applied in its nuclear practices. China signed with the IAEA the Practical Arrangement on Nuclear Security, which expands cooperation in such fields as establishing security legislation and standards, capacity building and personnel training, and nuclear security for major public events. China will also cooperate with relevant countries to set up a nuclear security “Center of Excellence” in China. In safeguards field, China strictly fulfills its safeguards obligation in accordance with the safeguards agreement and the additional protocol signed with the IAEA. China supports the efforts made by the IAEA in enhancing its verification capacity as well as promoting the effectiveness and the universality of the international safeguards regime.

China appreciates the great assistance provided by the IAEA on developing nuclear energy over the years and is willing to further enhance its cooperation with the IAEA in all relevant fields. At the same time, China is ready to provide necessary assistance to other countries through the IAEA by sharing its own experience accumulated in developing nuclear energy.

Mr. President,

With the rapid development of the global nuclear energy, the IAEA’s role is becoming ever more important. It is our hope that with the support from all member states, the IAEA’s functions in all fields would be further strengthened, and the IAEA should focus it work on the following aspects:

First, strengthen technical cooperation and assistance, so as to assist member states to enjoy the benefit of peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The IAEA should heed the opinion of member states, especially that of developing countries, and take measures to satisfy their needs for technical assistance. Second, continue to foster the development of the global nuclear safety and security legislation, regulation and standards system, assist member states to enhance their relevant capability and strengthen the confidence of the public in developing nuclear energy. Third, continue to play an active role in addressing sensitive hotspot nuclear issues. Dialogue and negotiation is the only way toward a peaceful resolution of the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue and the Iranian nuclear issue. We hope that IAEA and the Director General will make full use of their advantage and play a constructive role in restarting and promoting relevant dialogue and negotiation process.